Just got the replacement Headset from DHL. Opened up the package and checked it out, then took it home and set it up and tested it.
Short version: Everything looks great, everything works great.
Not so short version:
It showed up from DHL just like before (meaning 1 day earlier than DHL's estimated delivery date). I wonder if they do that on purpose, like leaving themselves an out? Regardless, it's nice to get something early for a change. I got the retail version (1 set) as well as the N.A. power adapter. As for that adapter, from what i've read in previous posts, this was quite an issue at one time. Also from what i've read previously, Medusa (or more specifically Matt) stepped up and did things right. I took this out of the little box you see in the first pic, and plugged it in and used it "as is". I say "as is" because at first glance there appears to be different settings, as well as a switch, that need to be "set" before use. I started worrying a little bit, cause i had no idea what setting to use, so I just pluggede it in and it appears that the default setup is the one ya need. Maybe I was lucky, but I didn't have to make any changes to it. I can imagine the frustration peeps felt when they first saw this Headset, and then weren't able to use it due to problems with the adapter that was initially provided. Thankfully Medusa/Matt stepped up:
And here's a couple pics of the Power Adapter. Overall:
And close up:
The next thing I noticed is something that i've read about in other reviews. Although at the time I thought it was some kind of typo, it turns out it wasn't. This is the first Headset i've ever purchased that had fluffy, velvet-like packaging for the goods. Most are in some kind of plastic or cardboard. Not these though, they had style starting right at the packaging:
I then opened up the little box located beneath the Headset that contained all the wires, as well as the Amp/Control Module. Nice little package that seems to have accounted for most potential needs. While they can't account for ecery possibility, what's included should be adequate for most peeps to get up and running real quick:
The next thing to really knock my socks off was the Amp/Control Module. Not because it has one (which is kinda cool in-and-of-itself), but because it's weighted. Not "heavy" but... weighted... (kinda hard to describe). I've owned other speaker sets/sound cards that had an external control module (3 in fact). And while they were all functional and operated as advertised, they were too damn light. Yeah, it's nice to have a little "box" with buttons and dials on the desk within easy reach, but it's super annoying to have to relocate that same "box" every time you use it because it moves whenever you push a button or turn a dial. Not so with this baby. Like others, it has the little rubber feet to help keep it from sliding. Unlike others, it's "heavy" and tends to stay where you put it. There's also a nice, bright red LED indicating power when you turn it on, as well as a satisfying "click" when you turn it on. The plug locations and overall design are simple and effective, which appeals to my "form-over-function" preference for things in general. Very nicely done Speed-Link:
And here's a pic of the back of it. Again, nicely organized and clearly labled:
Next is the Headset itself. Again, NICELY DONE SPEED-LINK! This thing is light and comfortable, providing a nice, soft yet "secure" feeling when you where them. The cord was more than long enough for my needs, and I imagine they'll suffice for most peeps. Speed-Link even provided a simple Headset holder that you can stick to your PC/Monitor/whatever. A nice little touch there Speed-Link. Here's one of the Headset:
The following was a REALLY nice find. The mic. Or more specifically, the arm or "boom" that the mic is attached to. Without a doubt, this is THEE MOST FLEXIBLE AND MAINTAINABLE MIC/BOOM I'VE EVER USED! This thing is.. awesome! All of the mic's and booms/arms that i've used have had limited movement for adjustability. Up and down, maybe a little lateral movement, maybe even a little "twisting" movement. But it was all minimal, and once I adjusted it, it eventually lost its position after donning/removing the Headset several times. Speed-Link's is much different (and BETTER!). It's mounted to the left side, and has a swivel so you can raise/lower it, much like others. But unlike others, the entire arm/boom (not sure what that's called hehe) is flexible. You can twist it all over the place. Put a couple bends in it, hell you could probably tie a not in it lol! But more importantly once you placed it where you want it, it STAYS there. I was shaking my head trying to get it to move and I couldn't. This was a very nice surprise, as I hadn't read about this in any of the reviews I read and was therefore totally unprepared for it. Again, nicely done Speed-Link.
The next thing I really like is the inline volume control. This was once of the criteria I had for selecting a Headset, as it was a pain to have to drop out of a game to adjust volume, or break from whatever I was reading in order to adjust the volume control in the tray. I guess i'm still old fashined that way, but I like a simple knob to turn. Up for louder, down for off. Period. That was my one main gripe about the Zalman's I used to have. They sounded pretty good, but they didn't have a mic OR inline volume control. I understand that now they do have a clip-on mic, but still no inline volume control. However even if they did, I wouldn't get em. Not after listening to the Speed-Link's. These are much better (imho).
The inline control has 4 separate dials for volume, each going from 0 to 10, lowest to loudest. They are Front. Rear, Center, and "Vib". The first three are pretty much self explanatory. Simply adjust each to your preference. THe fourth, "vib", was another little thing I din't know about and, therefore, another nice find. Apparently these things will Vibrate, with settings from 0 (no vibration) to 10 (as much as possible). I think I read somewhere else just yesterday that somebody else just found out about these as well. Unfortunately, I didn't get to test the "Vib factor", as I was having to much fun just playing CoD 2 and listening to stuff. Here's a pic of the inline control:
And this brings me to the end and final critique: sound quality. I've thought about how to write about this. What words to use, catchy phrases or comparisons. Then it occurred to me that "quality" is a purely personal thing. What I find nice others might not like, and what I find lacking or distasteful others might see as major pluses. For those reasons, i'm not going to try and write down all of my impressions. Well, that and i'm getting pressed for time. I know in COD2 things sounded different and MUCH better than what I had been used to. The base was rich, the treble was crisp, and directional sounds (coming from behind/in front of me or to either side) were on the mark. I had to play with my sound settings a bit, as I had them set up for one piece of hardware and since this was a totally different thing they had to be tweaked (this was expected actually and not a surprise at all). In the short time I used them in CoD2 (and an even shorter time in BF2), I was impressed AND pleased with my purchase. Next week Red Orchestra comes out and I just KNOW these thigns are gonna shine with that game (and I got the week off as well). WOOHOO!
If yer still reading this, thanks! I like to post about my experiences with newly purchased product whenever I can. I figure it helps me to keep up on my typing skills, and maybe it'll help somebody else out when making a purchasing decison. Whether the experience is/was good/bad, i've always "stuck to my guns" and told it as I saw it. On occaision this has lead to... unpleasentness... lol. In any event, i've always liked to think if more peeps posted their experience(s) with stuff they buy, then more peeps would be better informed when making a purchasing decision. If a product gets a bad rap, and enough peeps read about it, then that product will not sell as well as it could and, therefore, the manufacturers will be forced to address whatever issue(s) exist. If the product gets a good reputation, then that too will spread by "written word" and, most likely, that product will sell well. Maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part, or maybe my ignorance of modern business trends and tactics. If so, oh well. Whaddaya gonna do eh?
As for this Headset, I couldn't recommend it more strongly. It did everything I hoped it would AND did a little bit more as well. It's nice when that happens, a pleasent surprise indeed. Also, based on what i've read in this Forum, as well as my own personal experience, Matt from Medusa is not only a stand-up guy, he's one of an EXTREMELY FEW that listen to what the Customer has to say AND act upon it (specifically, the Power Adapter issue). I've seen similar behavior in other fourms, but it's just that. Similar. Nothing i've seen can equal what he's done in this Forum. Not only for me, but others as well. A great product that (imho) is definately worth the price AND a rep from the Company that's active in a Forum that discusses that same product. A very nice combination and definately one I recommend.
Sancti0n
cost was ~$123.00 US...now I see they're cheaper>>> 
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